Olsen Bill Urging Elimination of Ethanol Mandate Passes Legislature

Written by

||

The California legislature has passed a joint resolution backed by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen (R-Riverbank), urging the U.S. Congress to eliminate a mandate costing local farmers millions of dollars annually.

The federal mandate requires the use of renewable fuels in gasoline, theoretically reducing America's dependence on foreign oil. A massive 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels must be part of the nation's fuel supply by 2022.

The mandate is currently being met, in large part, with the production of corn ethanol. Five billion bushels of corn were used for ethanol production in 2011 – almost 40 percent of all U.S. corn.

The measure has been a boon for corn growers, driving the commodity's price through the roof. That's bad news for California dairy and poultry farmers, though, who are reliant upon corn as a feedstock.

ADVERTISEMENT - ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW

“California leads the nation in milk production and dairy cows primarily depend on corn as feed,” said Olsen, who represents Turlock in the State Assembly. “Diverting feed stocks to fuel has diminished corn supplies for livestock and food producers, resulting in higher corn prices. These higher prices have contributed to hundreds of California dairies going out of business and have increased costs on consumers through increased food prices in grocery stores and restaurants.”

According to Olsen's staff, the resolution sends “a clear message” that California is opposed to corn-based ethanol. The resolution urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support only biofuel sources that do not compete with fuel production.

“Feeding our livestock and our people should take precedence over creating alternative fuels that have proven to be less energy efficient than gasoline,” Olsen said. “The actions in this resolution will help prevent further job loss and help our entire state’s economy.”

The resolution has no binding effect, as the California Legislature cannot force Congress to take legislative action, nor can California override the Congressional standards.

But the symbolic gesture still sends an important message, California Poultry Federation President Bill Mattos says.

“The poultry industry is grateful that our legislature understands the significance of this resolution,” Mattos said. “Using corn for fuel has never made any sense, economically or environmentally, and we appreciate the Legislature's support for Assemblymember Olsen's resolution.”

Post comment as a guest

Guest - ElmerFudd

I suppose by not admitting to the engine and fuel system damage done to older vehicles and tools, they will avoid a class action suit like the one that happened when they first re-formulated diesel fuel.

Popular Stories

An Oakdale community Facebook group is seeking help locating a 13-year-old boy who has been reportedly missing since Friday morning. According to the Facebook thread posted in the Oakdale Area Incident Feed, Elijah Bailey, 13, of Oakdale, has been missing since 8 a.m. Friday.

After 25 years, the remains of a woman found in Florida in 1990 has been identified as a person reported missing in Turlock in 1992. On the morning of April 3, 1990, the deceased remains of a female were discovered by a prison crew in Collier County, Fla.

The 13-year-old Oakdale teen that was reportedly missing since 8 a.m. Friday was found safely on Saturday afternoon. Elijah Bailey, 13, of Oakdale, had been reported missing, but was located at an Oakdale residence on Saturday afternoon.

ABOUT TCN

Turlock City News.com was started in 2005 and is an independent online news source with a dedication to our community. Our goal is to provide daily news on anything and everything Turlock. Feel free to contact us with your news, events, and comments. We are always looking for feedback!